Oregon history

An Albany opening worth waiting for

Written May 2nd, 2023 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 7 responses.

Here’s the news from the Albany Regional Museum: It will reopen to the public on June 10.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany Museum, museum exhibits, Oregon history, Railroad history, Regional Museum

A marker for a time long, long ago

Written April 3rd, 2022 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 4 responses.

On a Sunday drive through the countryside of Linn County, Kathy and I came across this historical marker behind the railroad track about three miles west of Scio, where Gilkey and Goar roads meet.

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: Albany & Eastern, Gilkey Road, Gilkey Station, Goar Road, Linn County, Linn County history, Mill City Branch, Oregon history, Oregon railroads, Scio

Learning more about Mr. & Mrs. Johnson

Written October 28th, 2020 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 7 responses.

There’s always more to a story, and yesterday’s piece about the Jackson County mountain named for Albany blacksmith Ben Johnson was no exception. As soon as it appeared, readers responded with additional details.

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: Albany history, Albany Masonic Cemetery, Ben and Amanda Johnson, Henderson Park, Oregon history

Worth a visit any time, even in winter

Written February 21st, 2019 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 12 responses.

There’s no bad day to visit Thompson’s Mills, the state park east of Shedd. And if you’re new to the mid-valley, you owe yourself a trip there. As the only remaining water-powered mill in the state, the place shows off the ingenuity of the Oregon pioneers of 160 years ago.

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: Calapooia River, Oregon history, Oregon State Parks, Shedd, Thompson's Mills, water power

A walkway ‘star:’ Dorothy Anne Hobson

Written December 8th, 2018 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 6 responses.

Strolling around the Capitol grounds in Salem the other day, I came across the late Dorothy Anne Hobson in the form of this plaque on the ground. She had a lot more to say back in the day, when she was a young girl, all of it straight to the point.

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: Dorothy Anne Hobson, Oregon history, Valsetz

At Albany Station, glimpse a little history

Written November 11th, 2018 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 3 responses.

Waiting for a train at Albany Station, I looked down. That led to an online introduction to what must have been a remarkable man and his life.

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: Albany Station, Marshall Bros. cement contractors, Oregon history

Cross that bridge and remember a pioneer

Written October 8th, 2018 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 12 responses.

To read this plaque, you have to cross this bridge on foot, which I did on Sunday. Having read it, though, you’ll want to call the Jefferson bridge over the Santiam by its proper name henceforth.

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: Conde McCullough, Jacob Conser, Jefferson bridge, Oregon history